DISCLAMER:
I do not own Inuyasha. No one does, no one will. except Kagome has his heart... and Rumiko Takahashi kinda has gaurianship over him... But otherwise? No. Inuyasha is a free, wild, spirit. *sighs* life sucks, doesn't it?a/n: Go ahead and be as pissed off with me as you like. I wish I could have gotten around to updating sooner...but life is hell. I havn't had much free time lately... and when I do, I kinda spend it reading. I've been reading and watching, etc, more horror stuff... and truthfully? I'm starting to like it more and more! XD So.. hopefully this chapter lives up to everyones expectations, if it doesn't.. I'm sorry... -_-' My eternal gratitude goes to purduepup... my amazingly awesome beta reader... soo.. go check out her stories alright? She always gives me helpful feedback.. and I'm glad that she fiinds time in her busy schedule to help me. ;P
Dedicated to: The three people who so kindly reviewed to chapter one. The only three in fact. You people? Yes, you are freaking amazing. I'm so happy you reviwed, and liked the story...and I hope you continue both. :) so, this chapter goes out to the following: tx soccr chick - thanks so much for being my 1st reviewer for the story! X) and, no I'm not having the nightmares anymore - but things do seem to be freakier around Halloween, so everything might start being darker.. P Inu'sgirl4ever - thank you for reviewing! and I hope that the update pleases you :D purduepup- glad to have scared you , even if you did read it once or twice before... ^.^
Chapter Two:
8:00 am -
She stole a frightened glance at it, as hurriedly walked by, on her way to work, shivering as she went.
She did not like that property one bit. She never had. She had hated it even when she was young - It had been the source of her terror, and sorrow, and still was. The cold that seemed to emanate from it, the dark shadows that lingered far too long… It was all wrong.
Very wrong…
She had heard rumors from her co-workers of a new family moving in - and she could see that were true. The car parked at the bottom of the hill, the cat lounging on the stairs…
And the obvious hate that seemed to control the place. THEY would be trying to force the family out soon.
Something has to be done about it…
They thought they owned it. They thought they could kill anything, and anyone who invaded their land. They had been at this horribleness for many years- and yet no one had ever won against them.
The deaths that happened so often - Hojo-kun from the shop, Kaede-sensei from school… even her own parents had fallen under their 'curse' of death. So many people had died - and they had been opposes of the evil. Doers of the good.
Everyone who was anyone knew that there was something wrong going on there.
And I'm the exception to that rule…
With a glum sigh, and a shiver of fear, she sprinted onwards, in hopes of not being fired for her tardiness.
12:00 pm -
The shadows. The lingered in the kitchen , even in the bright sunlight. They weren't supposed to still be there.
I'll just throw my fork at them if they come any closer…
She scowled at them as she ate her breakfast of ramen and apple juice, wishing they would disappear.
Her mother claimed that they were figments of her imagination- her mind overreacting from the stress of moving. From wrapping her mind around the fact that life wasn't fair… but she knew that wasn't true.
"Onee-chan? Mama is asking you something." Her brother's annoyed voice cried from the outside. He, their mother, and their grandfather were going to be visiting her aunt for the day -leaving her behind.
She heard the scuffling of shoes, as he pulled them on by the front door. But wasn't he already outside?
And now I'm hearing things?
"Kagome - stop by the store this afternoon, alright?" Her mother's soft voice called out to her.
Then there was a slam of a door, causing the whole building to shake slightly.
She was alone.
Dammit.
Putting her dishes in the sink, while hastily rinsing them, she swore she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Something dark. Something moving.
Just my imagination…
Telling herself she was anything but scared, she grabbed her jacket from the closet, and hurried outside in search of her bike.
Next-door-
"I said leave me alone, dammit!"
Her cross voice was music to his ringing ears, as it assaulted them from behind the large, oak door, from which behind, she was changing.
He smiled slightly, in the dim half-light of the candles his god-father insisted in maintaining around the house. To 'keep THEM out'. But everyone tried to keep 'them' out. No one had succeeded yet.
"But Sango-chan -"
"Don't you DARE Sango-chan me."
"Taijiya-san…"
There was a scoffing sound from the other room, as a girl with dark brown hair, pulled into a high ponytail came into the room, arms crossed, as she sat down across the table from him, glowering at him the whole time.
He appraised her new attire, the pleasingly tight-fitted black sweater that fell just above her knee's, the dark leggings, the black boots. He knew this to be her work 'uniform', and he liked it so much better than that loose sailor suit like outfit she was forced to wear.
His eyes roved over her body hungrily, trying to absorb every inch of her into his memory.
So sexy…
"What the fuck do you want, Houshi?" She demanded gruffly, narrowing her eyes at him. It was obvious she didn't trust or like him very much. Not that she liked or trusted anyone for that matter. She wasn't known as one of the more violent students in town for nothing, after all.
"My dear Sa- Taijiya-san. You are aware of the increasing danger next door?" He asked coolly, in a business-like manner, folding his hands carefully in front of him. He hoped, that getting straight to the heart of the matter would pull her in a little. Make her a little more open.
All threats of killing him, suddenly left her expression, and her gaze became serious, as she nodded somewhat stiffly- as if unused to the act of agreeing - , her eyes taking on a troubled, sad sheen, her complexion paling in just the slightest.
"Yes. It's becoming a larger problem - that family needs to move out, before something bad happens." Her voice was low now, yet still held that commandment for authority, for the upper hand. Yet she could not mask the flecks of fear, and chokes of sorrow that were embedded in her words.
"I agree, Taijiya-san… however, the girl-"
"Dammit, Houshi! All you ever think about is girls!" She snapped suddenly, rising to her feet, looking livid, with a rage, even she probably didn't even understand.
"No! You don't understand, Taijiya-san! Kagome-chan -"
"Kagome-chan?" She spat, a seeming fire teeming just behind those dark orbs, a frown hidden beneath that scoffing mouth.
"Yes, Kagome-chan! She has spiritual powers!" He cried out, throwing his arms over his head, as she raised an arm to strike him.
"Spiritual.. Power?"
Her voice was soft, and thoughtful, as she lowered herself back into her seat, a pondering look on her face, as she glanced out the window into the pouring rain. Into the coming darkness.
He knew now was not a good time. He knew that lives were at stake.. But… the Taijiya girl?
So cute…
"Houshi… do you think… do you think… do you think that we can win?"
He almost didn't catch her whisper, her small worried sigh. But he heard it all the same. Relief, and warmth flooded him as he realized just how vulnerable and girlish she actually was, under her coarse, bullying exterior .
Holding her gaze, he reached towards her comfortingly, " I hope so… Sango-chan."
"HANDS OFF PERVERT!"
In town -
She rushed into the nearest store as the rain started to fall in buckets.
Just my luck…
Dripping wet, the rain soaking her from head to toe, she pressed her back up against the wall in defeat, and leaning against it as she closed her eyes and sighed.
Shivering, she decided she hated her life.
"Ummm.. Miss?"
Her eyes flew open as the soft, curious voice met her ears. Blinking in the glare of the florescent lights, she was able to make out two pairs of eyes watching her.
"Are you alright, miss?" The girl asked hesitantly, stepping around the desk, and towards her, looking concerned.
Her ebony black hair fell in layers down her back, and a pair of worried brown eyes gave her a searching look.
She gulped. It seemed almost as if this girl could see right into her soul.
That's ridiculous…
"I-I'm fine." She replied, looking away.
But in truth she wasn't. But how could she explain the cold feeling she got when she noticed the dark clouds? The shiver that went down her back when she saw the shadows rounding the corner.
That was just it. She couldn't explain it. No one would believe her.
The girl seemed to relax, as she walked back to the cash register, and nodded shyly at the customer, as she glanced casually back at Kagome.
The man made an impatient sound in the back of his throat, and blushingly the girl handed him his receipt, and he strode out of the store, a cold aura about him.
Someone's not having a good day…
The girl stared after the customer, seemingly awestruck, and a bit abashed, before throwing a weak smile her way.
"C-can I help you?"
Across town:
" I said I don't want to, damn it!"
Fingers drummed impatiently on the table.
"Takahashi-san." Came the voice , sounding dangerous, "Do you want a job, or not? Take it or leave it."
The young man fidgeted slightly under the older man's gaze, and grunted.
He didn't believe he needed a job - he was only twenty after all.. He had his whole life before him, why bother with stupid, suckish things like work? Unfortunately, his brother would not stand for him freeloading … and he also wanted the run up phone bill paid by the end of the month. so here he was, applying for a job at the local high school. A tutor as well.
Life can't get worse, can it?
Sulkily, he let out a sigh, and shrugged in reply to Principal Tokajin's question.
He hated the man, with the large beer belly, and abundance of strangely carved fruits in his office- if he hadn't known better, he would've sworn that this thing was the cause of all the towns bad luck… but of course he knew the truth. That the old shrine, and house up on that hill was the problem. SHE had known it too. And she had gotten involved.. And dammit! Look where it got her.
He vowed to get rid of those strange shadows, the screeching cries, and the salty scent of blood and tears. To bring her peace.
"Wonderful, Takahashi-san. Your first pupil will be visiting you in the library tomorrow - at 2:04." Principal Tokajin droned on, rising to his feet, and staggering towards the door.
He gaped. So soon? No one was even having classes… it'd been two weeks already since Kaede's death… and what kid would be such a dork as to want a tutor.
Damn it. He hated the kid already. Probably some snively little 1st year… or a generic Hobo. Or whatever that kid, who died was named… Hojo? It made no difference to him.
But there went his week.
"Your student is new in town."
Fuck. A newbie.
"She's going to be starting in the 3rd year… " the sluggish principal went on.
Hopefully she's hot..
"Well? What the fuck is her name?" the young man growled, irritated.
He was an impatient, reckless fellow, and he hated being stalled. He was easily agitated.. And after all, he couldn't just sit in a library for a few hours with a person, who's name he didn't' know..
"Higurashi, Kagome-chan." then the large man lumbered off, leaving the pale man under the dimming florescent lights.
HIGURASHI?
In the country:
Wide eyes watched as her father, sister and nephew left the house, and she clutched her shawl close around her, as those who meant so much to her, left.
She knew that they were only getting the groceries… but all in all, it still frightened her to be alone.
She shivered, and glanced towards the mantelpiece, where her daughters many school photo's sat, the glass gleaming in the light of the dim tableside lamp. They were undusted, untouched, thrown from memory.
Her feet carried her unwillingly toward them, her hand outstretched, and she shakily lifted the fragile thing from it's resting place, and gazed into the serene, peaceful smile, the warm eyes.
She hated THEM.
Unease coursed through her. She felt as if she were being watched… and she resisted the urge to turn and look, as her eyes remained glued on her daughter's face. Yet she saw anyways. The pale, outline reflected in the glass of the picture frame.
As she fell forward, a small cry went with her.
Her niece. She was the answer.
Kagome, Kagome…
Then, there was silence.
At the school:
"Houshi-sama!" she hissed under her breath, as she ducked around the corner after him, "We're not supposed to be here!"
The shadows danced eerily against the damp pavement of the corridor, the light thrown in small puddles on the floor. The ghastly feeling of the grimy, dark hallway caused her to stiffen slightly as she heard a soft tapping just behind her.
Don't turn around…
She could just see him ahead of her in the murky light of the hallway, just the sight of him boosting her courage, as he paused, then cast a smile back at her.
Her heart stuttered dangerously.
Dammit! She hated that monk. She had no idea why she ever listened to him… he wasn't her senpai anymore - he couldn't tell her what to do!
Swearing under her breath, she followed him down the corridor, to the gym, a slightly clammy feeling slowly coming to her skin, a strange flutter of her stomach. No. This was not the typical, case of butterflies. These were warnings. Ones she knew she should listen to. Should heed. They were her instincts, her intuition telling her to get out of this hellhole. Yet she couldn't. Because this was the new place.
The place where IT had happened.
They paused before entering, eyes meeting as they did so, making a silent pact. Even if they did not fully understand one another, even if they did not necessarily get along… they knew that had to stick to their jobs. Their life. It was the way they had been, and would be for perhaps forever. They knew the risk they were taking, coming here. The place where the freshman, Mayu had died in a fire, last week. The death no one spoke of. The secret.
It was if it was an silent law. That you would be the next, if you tried to prevent their workings. That you would die, if you opposed them.
And yet here they stood… the monk, and the demon slayer, frozen in place, outside the door, as a childish giggle vibrated through the building.
And then, together, hand over hand, they opened the door.
A chilly wind met them.
Back in the shop:
She glanced at the young woman, cautiously, and was thrown a bright smile, as the tea was set down before her.
"Thank you." She murmured, as her hand strayed towards the steaming cup. That hand, however, had been swatted away.
"It's still hot! You'll burn yourself!" The girl scolded her, as she rolled her eyes, and pulled her own chair up to the table.
The shop girl had brought Kagome into the back, after a few exchanged words, and to her surprise, a snack of nori chips, and a warm cup of tea, were threatening to chase away the darkness, and bring light back into their lives.
But both knew, that neither of them could allow that.
"Noto, Rin.." The girl began hastily, twirling a strand of her long hair around a finger, as her dreamy eyed gaze strayed out the window, as she offered an anxious smile. Her face had a smooth, carefree, lightness to it, but it was underplayed with a lingering air of unease.
"Higurashi, Kagome." she replied amiably, as she shot her a small smile of her own, which was returned with a soft, nervous laugh, and a cheerful, light, 'nice to meet you!'
There was a moment of silence.
Then:
"Higurashi?"
The girl leaned forwards, across the table, face attentive and surprised, eyes worried, and scared.
Kagome blinked slowly, then nodded.
She kn-knows my name…
She shivered. So many strange things… so many weird people. She knew it was expected that she should not like her new home - how many teenagers WOULD give the current situation. I new house, a new town, new people… new shadows… especially the shadows.
She glimpsed them everywhere… but the place she knew them to be most abundant was in her house. Rounding the corners, climbing the stairs, lounging in the rooms, shutting the doors… just one day, and she was positive that they were there.
Or I'm going crazy…
"Are you… are you related to Hitomiko-sama… umm… Higurashi-san?" Rin asked quietly, looking suddenly shy.
A little taken aback at her companions strangely demure attitude, Kagome nodded. Although she hadn't seen her aunt since she was very young, she knew that she did live somewhere in the proximity of the town… but she was a bit resentful of the stern, yet soft-spoken women who was her kin. After all… she was the reason they had moved here.
"I… she's my aunt." She murmured gently, as she raised the hot tea to her lips, only to be burnt. Ouch.
Should've listened…
Rin gave a startled cough, as she choked on one of the nori chips. Her face had gone from slightly unsure, to increasingly frightened and desperate.
"So you're the one who moved into the shrine?" She hissed under her breath, awestruck, as, she scooted, closer to the table, and looked about in the manner of one being watched.
Kagome nodded silently, not knowing what quite to say. What was there to say?
'You mean the haunted house on the hill?', or 'It wasn't my choice' or 'oh.. Umm yeah?'.
None of them seemed like a suitable response to her.
So, even though she had made no show of conformation, Rin gave her a look that spoke of secrets, of pain, of tears.
Great. PLEASE don't cry!
"You have to get out of there, as fast as you can!" She muttered out of the side of her mouth, as she got to her feet, and drew the curtains, so that the dismally gray light of the outdoors no longer filtered in.
Kagome stared at her, mouth slightly agape.
There it was again. That tone. Ghosts. Warnings. Perhaps it WASN'T her imagination after all. Perhaps it was something more. Something worse. Something terrible.
Rin settled down across the table from her again, looking distractedly at the holes in her orange gloves.
"Come back tomorrow." She murmured, casting a friendly, albeit worried smile in her general direction, "there's something's you should know about that house."
Kagome, taking this as a polite form of adjourning their little teatime, despite the short few moments, got to her feet, confusion clouding her thoughts, and chaos racking her brain.
Softly, the words left her mouth, in a moment of disarray.
"What… kind of things?"
Her query was answered with a cryptic, shadowy smile, a sweetly sad look in those childishly wide eyes.
"Your house? It's haunted."
The lights flickered.
And then something hit the window.
A/n: *smirks* so... what did you think? was it ok? Was it suspenseful enough, and all that jazz? please, please, please, please, PLEASE review and tell me what you thought! If you like this story, you might want to try my other story,' Who's Behind You Now? ' It's not about ghosts.. but it's somwhat dark... so those of you interested? Take a look, at some my others too, k?
anyhow...
REVIEW!